Modular pallet

ABSTRACT

A pallet has a base member with a top surface defining first and second spaced apart openings near an edge of the top surface. Hollow legs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the pallet and define a passageway below the bottom surface. Each hollow leg is a wheel well wherein a wheel is fastened to the base member. Each wheel inside its associated hollow leg extends downwardly from the base member to an elevation below the associated leg so that the wheel is free to support and move the base member. An inverted U-shaped handle has its bottom ends removably inserted in the first and second openings. Flanges attached to the bottom end portions of first and second upright members rest on the top surface of the pallet when the upright members are inserted.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a pallet for stacking, storing and displayingmerchandise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pallets are widely used for stacking, storing, transporting anddisplaying merchandise. Merchandise stacked on a pallet allowssubstantial quantities of the merchandise to be easily and economicallystored or displayed. Pallets have slots to accept the arms of a lifttruck for easily moving heavy loads. In some retail environments,particularly self-serve and warehouse facilities, merchandise isdisplayed while still on the pallet. It is not always practical ordesirable to operate a lift truck in such facilities, particularly whencustomers are present and when precise pallet positioning is required.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable tohave an attractive pallet that can be precisely positioned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect ofthe present invention, a pallet, comprises a base member having top andbottom surfaces with the top surface defining first and second spacedapart openings near an edge of the top surface. A handle has first andsecond upright members with bottom end portions removably inserted inthe first and second spaced apart openings, and a horizontal memberconnecting top portions of the first and second upright members. Firstand second flanges are attached to the bottom end portions of the firstand second upright members with the flanges resting on the top surfacewhen the upright members are inserted in the first and second openings.A plurality of hollow legs extend downwardly from the bottom surface anddefine a passageway below the bottom surface. A plurality of wheelmeans, one for each leg of the plurality of hollow legs, are fastened tothe base member inside an associated hollow leg and extend downwardlyfrom the base member to an elevation below the associated leg so thatthe wheel means is free to move the base member.

The passageways between the legs facilitate use of a lift truck and thewheels allow the pallet to be rolled about. Having a removably attachedhandle allows the pallet to be precisely positioned on a merchandisefloor and to be displayed without the handle allowing for easier accessto merchandise. When the handle remains attached, a display panelprovides a surface area for displaying product information. Removing thehandle allows a bin to be used without interference with the handlethereby providing more space for merchandise. The pallet may haveremovable shelves instead of a bin when the merchandise is betterdisplayed on shelves.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a reviewof the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments andappended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pallet witha merchandise bin and handle attached according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pallet with a merchandise bin withdividers.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bin illustrating protrusions for anchoringthe bin on the pallet.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a pallet and handle.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a pallet with a merchandising display.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a wheel well and wheel.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a pallet with shelves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a pallet 10 has a base member 12 with top andbottom surfaces. The top surface defines first and second spaced apartopenings 14, 16 near a rear edge of the top surface. The top surface ispreferably flat but may have a raised perimeter ridge so that one palletmay be stacked atop another. Preferably, base 12 member is constructedof plastic, fiber glass or other moldable material and may be colored tocoordinate with a merchandising floor color scheme or a company logo.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, a plurality of hollow legs 18 extenddownwardly from the bottom surface and define a passageway below thebottom surface. As illustrated, base member 12 is rectangular with fourhollow legs 18 spaced about the perimeter defining two passageways, onelateral and one transverse, to accommodate the forks of a lift truck andto provide ventilation. Each hollow leg 18 is a wheel well accommodatingwheel means 20, such as an actual wheel, a roller, glide, or caster.Each the wheel means 20 is fastened to the base member 12 inside anassociated hollow leg 18 and extends, or is extendible, downwardly frombase member 12 to an elevation below the lowermost portion of theassociated leg so that the wheel means can support the base member andpallet to move the pallet. The type of wheel means can vary depending onthe application as is well known in the art. For example, a type oflocking wheel can extend lower than the wheel well so that the unloadedpallet can be wheeled about, but would lock to prevent movement when thepallet load reaches a trigger point. Another type of wheel means can bemanually locked when the desired position is reached. There are alsowheel means that are retractable so that the pallet could rest on itslegs after being correctly positioned.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the pallet has an inverted “U” shapedhandle 22. The handle 22 has first and second upright members 24, 26with bottom end portions 28, 30 removably inserted in the first andsecond spaced apart openings 14, 16 and a horizontal member 32connecting top portions of the first and second upright members. Firstand second flanges 34, 36 are attached to the bottom end portions 28, 30of the first and second upright members 24, 26. The flanges 34, 36 reston the top surface when the upright members 24, 26 are inserted in thefirst and second openings 14, 16.

A panel 38 can be attached to the first and second upright members 24,26 below the horizontal member 32 providing an area for productidentification or other information. Cut outs 40 are provided in the topportion of the panel to provide handholds. The handle can be insertedand removed using the handholds and the pallet can be positioned usingthe handholds.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the top surface of the base member has thirdand fourth spaced apart openings 42, 44 near a front edge of the topsurface. These openings 42, 44 receive pins or pegs 46, 48 to anchor abin 50. The sidewall of bin 50 is closed and the first and secondupright members of handle 22 are inside the closed sidewall. The firstand second pegs 46, 48 are removably inserted in the third and fourthopenings 42, 44 of base member 12 inside the closed sidewall of bin 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates bin 50 with dividers 52 inside the closed sidewall.Dividers are useful for segregating different colors of the samemerchandise or vertically arranging certain items, such as florescentlight tubes, garden implements with handles, baseball bats and the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a bin 54 with a sidewall and abottom with two spaced apart downwardly extending legs or protrusions56, 58 for insertion into the third and fourth openings of the basemember. Preferably, the sidewall of bin 54 is closed and the first andsecond upright members are inside the closed sidewall.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pallet 60 supporting an in-store display 62. Thefootprint of display 62 is smaller than the top surface of the pallet,but presents an aesthetically appealing appearance because the moldedconfiguration is smooth and continuous unlike conventional woodenpallets. The top surface of the pallet, as well as the legs, can be usedfor product identification labels or company logos. In addition, thepallet can be formed in a color to match a floor, decorative motif, orcompany logo.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a pallet 64 has shelves instead of a bin.Shelves are preferred for displaying certain merchandise and for placingmerchandise at eye level. A first shelf 66 has a plurality of legs 68and is positioned on the top surface of the base member of the pallet.Legs 68 are detachably attached to the first shelf 66. The top surfacehas a plurality of leg openings each adapted to removably receive a leg68 to removably attach the first shelf to the base member of the pallet.As illustrated, there are four legs, and at least two legs arepositioned closer to a center of the top surface of the base member thanthe first and second openings that receive the handle. A second shelf 70is positioned atop first shelf 66 and spaced therefrom by legs 72adapted to fit into a plurality of openings in a top surface of thefirst shelf to detachably attach the second shelf to the first shelf.

The shelves may be of a continuous construction or may have a honeycombstructure to reduce weight and increase strength. Shelf openings may bebores through the thickness of the shelf with an internal stop member tolimit penetration by the legs. Where the shelf has a honeycombconstruction, the opening may be the center of a tube with a stop memberto limit penetration by the legs. In some instances, a shelf may be athin piece of material with upturned and/or down turned edges forming anapron wherein a tube would be attached to each side of the shelf andhidden by the apron. Of course, a top shelf need only have a tube oropening on its underside, but it is practical to have all shelvesidentical to limit manufacturing costs. Unwanted openings can be coveredwith a decal.

It can now be appreciated that a precisely positionable pallet has beenpresented. The pallet has a base member with a top surface definingfirst and second spaced apart openings near an edge of the top surface.Hollow legs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the pallet anddefine passageways below the bottom surface. Each hollow leg functionsas a wheel well wherein a wheel is fastened to the base member. Eachwheel inside a hollow leg extends downwardly from the base member belowthe leg so that the wheel is free to support and move the base member.An inverted U-shaped handle has its bottom ends removably inserted inthe first and second openings. Flanges attached to the bottom endportions of the first and second upright members rest on the top surfaceof the pallet when the upright members are inserted and properlyposition the handle.

The passageways facilitate use of a lift truck to move the pallet aboutand the wheels allow the pallet to be rolled about and preciselypositioned. After positioning, the handle can be removed to displaymerchandise without the handle allowing for easier access to themerchandise and better appearance. When the handle remains attached, adisplay panel on the handle provides a surface area for displayingproduct information or advertising. Removing the handle allows a bin tobe used without interference with the handle thereby providing morespace for merchandise. The pallet may have removable shelves instead ofa bin when the merchandise is better displayed on shelves.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements of the preferred embodiments without departing from theinvention. For example, the bin may be of configurations other than therectangular configuration described.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of theinvention are not limited to the particular details of the examplesillustrated, and it is therefore contemplated that other modificationsand applications will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, apallet can be textured and colored to match a concrete floor, or fabriccan be attached to match the color and texture of a carpeted floor.Also, the pallets are stackable one atop the other for easy storage whennot in use. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover allsuch modifications and applications as do not depart from the truespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A pallet, comprising: a base member having top and bottom surfaces,said top surface defining first and second spaced apart openings near anedge of said top surface; a plurality of hollow legs extendingdownwardly from said bottom surface and defining a passageway below saidbottom surface; a plurality of wheel means, one for each leg of saidplurality of hollow legs, each said wheel means being fastened to saidbase member inside an associated hollow leg and extending downwardlyfrom said base member to an elevation below said associated leg so thatsaid wheel means is free to move said base member; a handle having firstand second upright members having bottom end portions removably insertedin said first and second spaced apart openings and a horizontal memberconnecting top portions of said first and second upright members; andfirst and second flanges attached to said bottom end portions of saidfirst and second upright members, said flanges resting on said topsurface when said upright members are inserted in said first and secondopenings.
 2. A pallet, as set forth in claim 1, including a panelattached to said first and second upright members below said horizontalmember.
 3. A pallet, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said top surfaceof said base member has third and fourth spaced apart openings near anopposed edge of said top surface.
 4. A pallet, as set forth in claim 3,including a bin having a sidewall.
 5. A pallet, as set forth in claim 4,wherein said bin has a bottom with two spaced apart downwardly extendingprotrusions removably inserted in said third and fourth openings of saidbase.
 6. A pallet, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sidewall isclosed and said first and second upright members are inside said closedsidewall.
 7. A pallet, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sidewall isclosed and said first and second upright members are inside said closedsidewall, and including first and second pegs removably inserted in saidthird and fourth openings of said base inside said closed sidewall.
 8. Apallet, as set forth in claim 2, including a first shelf positioned onsaid top surface having a plurality of legs.
 9. A pallet, as set forthin claim 8, wherein said legs are detachably attached to said firstshelf.
 10. A pallet, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said top surfacehas a plurality of leg openings each adapted to removably receive a legof said plurality of legs to removably attach said first shelf to saidbase member, at least two legs of said plurality of legs beingpositioned closer to a center of said top surface of said base memberthan said first and second openings of said top surface.
 11. A pallet,as set forth in claim 10, including a second shelf positioned atop saidfirst shelf, said second shelf having a plurality of legs adapted to fitinto a plurality of openings in a top surface of said first shelf todetachably attach said second shelf to said first shelf.
 12. A pallet,comprising: a base member having top and bottom surfaces, said topsurface defining first and second spaced apart openings near an edge ofsaid top surface and defining third and fourth spaced apart openingsnear an opposed edge of said top surface; a plurality of hollow legsextending downwardly from said bottom surface and defining a passagewaybelow said bottom surface; a plurality of wheel means, one for each legof said plurality of hollow legs, each said wheel means being fastenedto said base member inside an associated hollow leg and extendingdownwardly from said base member to an elevation below said associatedleg so that said wheel means is free to move said base member; and a binhaving a sidewall and a bottom, said bottom having four spaced apartdownwardly extending protrusions removably inserted in said first,second third and fourth openings of said base.